This year’s JYPT team of Shakked Noy (C), Joseph Ivory, Jack Tregidga and Callum Davidson were again a very strong force. They started strongly with Joseph’s presentation scoring well in round 1 to put the team into 3rd place. The next day Shakked made history by being the first person to fall ill whilst in the middle of a physics fight. Joseph took over ably but by the end of the day we had dropped to 5th place. A strong performance by Callum and Jack on the third day put the team back up to 3rd at the end of the round robin. In the playoff for 3rd and 4th Shakked’s debating skills were far superior to his opponent’s from All Saint’s Anglican School (Gold Coast). Shakked scored the highest of anyone in the tournament with three 9s and WHS had the bronze medal.
Travel to the tournament was arduous with three flights and 24 hours duration in each direction. Highlights included dancing Gangnam style at the farewell party and talent quest, learning the Korean cultural phenomenon of “Selfie” taking (often involving a “selfie-stick” and sometimes with the addition of “selfie bombers” in the background). There was also the many and various ways of eating Kimchi for breakfast after being woken by super loud K-pop over the dormitory intercom. Actually the hospitality of the host schools was the best thing about this tournament. Good luck to the tournament winners and next year’s hosts Onslow College.
Incheon Jinsan High School, Korea
